Ole Bull State Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Ole Bull State Park is a 132-acre park located in Potter County, Pennsylvania.


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Summary

The park offers visitors a variety of outdoor recreational activities such as hiking, fishing, camping, picnicking, and wildlife watching. The park is named after Norwegian violinist Ole Bull who visited the area in the mid-1800s and was impressed by its beauty.

One of the park's main attractions is the Kettle Creek Gorge, a scenic and rugged area of the park that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The park also features the Kettle Creek Observation Deck, a popular spot for birdwatching and wildlife viewing.

Other points of interest at Ole Bull State Park include the Rustic Campground, which features 19 camping sites, and the Civilian Conservation Corps Museum, which showcases the history of the CCC and its impact on the development of parks and natural resources in Pennsylvania.

The best time to visit Ole Bull State Park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and sunny, and the park's recreational activities are in full swing. However, the park is also open during the spring and fall months, offering visitors beautiful foliage and cooler temperatures.

Overall, Ole Bull State Park is a beautiful and peaceful destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Its stunning views, unique history, and variety of recreational activities make it a must-see destination in the great state of Pennsylvania.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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